How To Improve Soil Quality
Posted on: 9 November 2017
The health of your lawn and garden is directly tied to the quality of the soil in your yard. Soil of poor quality can leave your landscape covered with brown patches of grass and exposed dirt. In order to restore your garden and yard to its lush, original state, there are a few things that you should do to raise the quality of your soil.
Remove Debris
The most important, and also the simplest, thing that you can do to improve the quality of your soil and health of your grass and plants is to remove excess debris that may have built up in your yard. Organic debris, sometimes called thatch, can accumulate over time and prevent water, sunlight, and nutrients from reaching the roots of your plants, effectively suffocating them. Too much debris can also provide the perfect breeding ground for certain pests that can wreak havoc to the health of your plants. You can use a rake to remove excessive buildup, but to proactively ensure that your lawn stays relatively clear of debris, you should make use of a lawnmower that is capable of mulching. This will help reduce the amount of debris on your lawn, and can provide you with free mulch that you can apply as needed throughout your yard.
Aeration is Key
Another fairly simple, yet extremely important, thing that you can do to improve soil quality is to have your lawn aerated. Aeration simply punches a bunch of small holes into the soil, prevent the soil from becoming compacted and allowing water to be better absorbed into the ground. This allows for better plant growth, as more water and nutrients are able to reach the roots of your grass and plants. Aerators can be rented from most hardware stores, or you can have it professionally done: just be sure to watch out for sprinklers, shallow pipes, and electrical lines which can be vulnerable to damage.
Fertilizer
Finally, fertilizer is one of the most effective methods of boosting your soil's quality. Professional fertilizers can quickly supply nutrients which may be lacking in your yard, allowing plants to take root where they would otherwise be unable to. Alternatively, you can start a compost heap yourself to get a free source of fertilizer: simply put organic food waste into a composter and let it sit for a few weeks before applying it to the areas of your lawn that need it most. Professional fertilizers and composters can be found at most hardware stores.
Call a landscaping contractor for more help.
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